Gas generating and storing apparatus.



' No. 545,545. Patented Mar. 2n, |900.'

W. BLACKIE. GAS GENERATING AND STURING *APPARATUS.

(Appli'cacion med sept. 2a, 189s.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet ',/lIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/IIII a uumnmm u v u 4 W5/@552558 i W No` 645,545. Patented Mar. 2u, '1900.

` w. BLAcKlE. GAS GENERATING AND STRIG APPARATUS.

(Application led Sept. 23, 1898.) (Nn Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

NrrED ASTATES I WILLIAM nLAoKin, or LONDON, ENGLAND.

GAS GENERATING AND STORING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,545, dated March 20, 1900.

i Application filed September 23, 1898. Serial No. 691,743. (No model.)

To ZZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BLACKIE, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at London Bridge, London, in the county of Surrey, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Gras Generating and Storing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gas generating and storing apparatus.

According to my invention I liberate the oxygen by decomposingchlorate of potash by the application of heat atthe time and at the place it is to be used,so dispensingwith large storage-bags or compressing into cylinders.

In carrying out my invention I employ a case fitted with a gas-bag, the top of which forms a platform and is made hollow to hold water, the weight of which gives the necessary pressure to the oxygen in the bag, the whole working guides to keep the platform level as it rises and falls when the oxygen-is admitted to or drawn from the bag. Upon this platform is mounted a hollow central pillar tted with a swivel-head and a numberof tubes or retorts capable of revolving gastight around the central pillar as a center and at a sufficient height to allow of a heatinglamp being placed under the retorts. Each of the retorts is charged with the usual oxygen mixture of chlorate of potash and manganese, but pressed into cakes either solid or annular in section across the direction of their length, and each retort is capable of being brought successively over the heatinglamp, the' oxygen when liberated from the cakes being led away for use.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a section of apparatus made in accordance with my improvement, showing one of the retorts in elevation, the other being shown in section over the heating-lamps Fig. 2, a plane view; and Fig. 3, a cross-section through one of the retorts, showing the lamp in elevation.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

C is the case which contains the several parts of the apparatus, which may be of any suitable design, but is here shown as square, While B represents the gas-bag for storing the oxygen. v

P is a tank which rests upon the gas-bag and in practice contains a sufficient amount of water to add the proper weight to the bag for storing the gas under pressure, while the top of this tank serves as a platform.

G are guides the object of which is to main# tain the platform in a level position, and this v is accomplished by the grooved rolls g, journaled to the posts g', carried by the tank, as clearly shown in Fig. l.

p is a pillar supported upon the tank and projecting vupward for sustaining the retorts r, which are cylindrical in shape, suitably connected with the turn-table s, which is so fitted upon the post as to form a multipleway valve, the interior of said post being hollow and leading to the tank. Each of the retorts when brought into proper position are put in communication with the tank through the post, as is clearly shown upon the righthand of Fig. l. A lamp Z is placed upon the platform and carries a ladder f, upon which the head II may be placed. The interior of each retort has a tube ttherein, which is pro= vided with the holes h for the passage of the gas when generated to the interior of the post P. The gas generating material, such as chlorate of potash,is made in cylindrical form, as shown at c, and is placed within the retort, the hole therein being of somewhat-larger diameter than that of the tube 15. A bell b is secured to the casing and adapted to be actuated by the striker b', carried by the platform.

The position of the parts when the machine is to be started is as represented in the drawings, with Water in hollow platform P, spirits, in lamp Z, a cake of oxygen mixture c, Figs. 3 and 4, in each of the retorts r, and a bag B collapsed. Upon lighting the lamp Zoxygen is liberated from the cake c directly over it, passes through the holes h 7L along the staytube t, down the pillar p, and onto the surface of the water contained in the hollow platform P, which cools it. The oxygen then passes through'the holes h and out of the nosepiece n by flexible tube to the jet, the surplus oxygen nding its way through the tube t to the bag B, so lifting the hollow platf form P, containing water, and the apparatus Xed upon it. In case of there being more oxygen formed than the bag B will hold the platform P rises lsufficiently to bring the re- IOO lief-valve o in contact with the abutment a, so allowing the gas to escape, and when the platform sinks till the tappet i2 comes in contact with the bell-leverb' thebell is sounded, so indicating that a fresh retort is required to be brought over the heating-lamp Z, and so on, each one in succession, till the contents of all the retorts are spent.

The hood H is for guarding the ame of the heating-lamp l. It also fixes the retort under operation in position by dropping between flanges P I of the holder f, fixed on the heating-lam p, the hood having to be taken o and replaced each time the retorts are moved.

'Ihe object of making the oxygen mixture c of annular cross-section is to secure the best results in the decomposition by the application of heat, and it also allows free passage of the stay-tube t and simplifies the fixing of the cap c in place to close the end of the tube.

means of communicating between the retort, tank and bag, and a lamp for successively heating the retorts, as specified.

2. A gas generating and storing apparatus consisting of a suitable casing, a gas-bag located therein, a tank adapted to hold Water resting upon said bag, means for guiding said tank vertically, a post projecting upward from the tank, the interior of which communicates therewith, a turn-table iitted upon the upper end of the post, a seriesof retorts connected with the turn-table, said retorts being adapted to receive gas-forming material in cylindrical shape, means vof communicating between the retorts and the post, a lamp for generating gas from said material so located as to act upon one of the retorts at a time, anda hood for confining the heat of the lamp, as specified.

3. ln a gas generating and storing apparatus the combination of aseries of retorts, a turn-table to which said retorts are connected, tubes leading from'the retorts to the interior of the turn-table, a hollow post upon which the turn-table isfitted and provided with in let and outlet openings whereby gas formed in the retorts may be 'conveyed therethrough.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. p

VILLIAM BLACKIE.

W'itnesses:A

SAMUEL LARK l-IoLFoRn, I-I. D. JAMESON. 

